Paper Plate Animals

Paper plates (white, one per animal)

Crayons or markers

Construction paper in assorted colors

Safety scissors

Glue stick

Googly eyes (optional but kids love them)

Color the entire paper plate yellow or orange with crayons.

Cut strips of orange and yellow construction paper, about 1 inch wide and 3 inches long.

Glue the strips around the back edge of the plate to make a mane.

Draw or glue on two eyes in the center of the plate.

Draw a small triangle nose and a W-shaped mouth below it.

Add whiskers with a marker — three lines on each side of the nose.

Color the paper plate green.

Cut two circles from green construction paper (about 2 inches across) for the eyes.

Glue the circles to the top edge of the plate so they stick up above the rim.

Add googly eyes or draw eyes on the green circles.

Draw a big, wide smile across the middle of the plate.

Cut a long, thin strip of red paper for the tongue. Curl one end around a pencil.

Glue the straight end of the tongue behind the plate so it hangs down.

Color the paper plate any color — gray, orange, and black are popular.

Cut two triangles from construction paper for ears.

Glue the ears to the top of the plate.

Add eyes (googly eyes or drawn on).

Draw a small pink triangle nose and an upside-down Y shape for the mouth.

Glue or draw 3 whiskers on each side.

Optional: Glue cotton balls on for a fluffy white cat.

Let your child pick which animal to make. If they want to make a purple dog, that's perfect. Creativity matters more than realism.

Pre-cut the construction paper pieces for younger preschoolers (3-year-olds). Older kids (4-5) can practice cutting with safety scissors — cutting strips is great scissor skill practice.

Make a whole zoo! If your child is having fun, keep going. Tape a popsicle stick to the back and they become puppets for pretend play.

This activity practices fine motor skills (cutting, gluing), color recognition, following multi-step directions, and creative expression.

Hang the finished animals on the wall or fridge with tape. Kids light up when their art is displayed.